The NY Islanders will soon be signing one of their top prospects, while another appears to be returning to the NCAA

Yesterday, the NY Islanders signed their top prospect, Kashawn Aitcheson, to his entry-level contract. Back in July, Victor Eklund signed his ELC, meaning the Isles now have their top two prospects under contract. Now, it appears as if Mathieu Darche and the Isles will sign Cole Eiserman after his season at BU ended this past weekend, but Danny Nelson will be returning to Notre Dame.

Eiserman will sign with the Isles while Nelson returns to Notre Dame

Eiserman, one of the NCAA's deadliest shooters, will reportedly be signing his ELC very soon, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. The 20th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft completed two seasons at BU, finishing both years as the Terriers' leading goal scorer. Once he inks his ELC, he'll likely join the team in Bridgeport for their push towards the playoffs, with a chance of suiting up for an NHL game.

Nelson, the 49th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has played three seasons for Notre Dame. According to Pagnotta, he'll return for his senior season, where he'll play alongside both of his brothers.

"They're (the Islanders) comfortable with his decison," Pagnotta said. "Once in a lifetime opportunity for all three of them. So he wants to go back in and play his final year out there in Notre Dame before deciding what he wants to do with respect to the National Hockey League."

The problem that lies with Nelson returning to South Bend is that the Islanders' rights will expire on him on August 15, 2027. There will still be time to get a deal done between the end of Notre Dame's season and the deadline, but Nelson would have the option of waiting it out and signing wherever he pleases.